Why we need intersectional activism after COP26

At COP 26 there are unique challenges but also opportunities to progress the goals established in Paris in 2015 to address the climate crisis. There remain queries about how to achieve commitments in order to translate pledges into transformative action. A critical aspect of this challenge is how to meaningfully invite different voices and perspectives to increase the visibility, representation and contribution of those who are most critically affected by climate injustice.

‘Giving us a platform is one thing, but listening to what we are saying and making sure that it adds to the decisions being made at COP is another thing.’ – Elizabeth Wathuti, founder of Green Generation Initiative.

As highlighted by Leah Thomas, intersectional environmental activists have always been involved in the debate but often their contribution takes place away from the main negotiating arenas. Many Pacific Island nations have not been able to send delegations to Glasgow due either to financial constraints or Covid restrictions. Yet these Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are some of the most affected areas on earth by small rises in sea levels – one of the most palpable effects of increases in global temperatures. Their exclusion diminishes the scope for grounded knowledge and lived experience to contribute in the fullest sense to understanding the impact of inaction and the possibilities for long-term change. Without the presence of, or adequate economic reparations and investment in countries from the Most Affected Peoples and Areas (MAPA), there is a fear that the outcome of COP26 will be less far reaching. Lack of inclusion risks the vested interests of industrialised carbon emitting states predominating, and a failure to translate pledges into meaningful action.

Leadership at COP26 is fundamental to promote change

Leadership has a crucial role to play in the success of COP26. Figures such as Alok Sharma, John Kerry and Joe Biden have been important in signalling that the eyes of the world were watching what happened in Glasgow. More recently plans which place the impetus for climate policy on specific leaders have been criticised, with the value of a bottom-up approach recognised to apply pressure and change adopted. Critics argue that leaders of governments are reluctant to pledge ambitious targets due to the lack of public majority directly calling for such changes.

Leaders can be temperamental, following rather than offering genuine leadership that impresses upon everyone the need to follow the evidence. As recently as 2015, Boris Johnson dismissed climate science in an article for the Telegraph. Yet in his speech at COP26, he emphasised that time was running out for securing necessary measures to offset irrecoverable climate change. We need to challenge the tendency for leaders to follow populist thinking and to start exhibiting genuine commitment to reducing emissions and finding new solutions. This is critical as the popular mandate is not yet sufficient to drive change. Leaders need to exhibit leadership, making necessary changes based on evidence from scientists and indigenous knowledge.

Leaders also come in non-governmental forms. Non-state actors make up the largest share at any climate change summit who are being pressured to sign up to net-zero emissions. However, the non-state leaders at COP26 have been found to represent fossil fuel interests, lobbying politicians and state actors to protect their companies’ interests and soften the pledges for change.

Greenwashing at COP26

A recent global survey reveals that 60% of today’s youth feel overwhelmed by climate anxiety. In the midst of COP26, a fanfare of climate messaging, doomism, and urgent projections on the future of health and human rights, it’s difficult to fend off states of climate-induced apathy. What’s more, a steady flow of corporate and political greenwash makes us uncertain who to trust.

In fact, Greta Thunberg described COP26 as a ‘greenwashing festival’, in which corporate sponsors such as Unilever, which produces enough plastic to cover eleven football pitches per day, are given a platform to celebrate their ‘sustainable’ production processes. This fact, alongside a range of informational sessions at COP advocating ‘No more greenwash!’, leads to a sense of frustration and apathy at the hypocrisy surrounding an event that promises to finally take effective action on climate change.

Giving experts a platform

Conscience Collective is committed to providing our community with experts to guide them through the issues of climate and social justice. This not only provides information and advice for our community, but connects a group of experts to a wider audience and broadens their influence. For example, through a collaboration with Black Girl Environmentalist, we connected Iris Samputu, a chemical engineer and climate change activist with our community of followers. During an Instagram takeover and a live session interview, Iris explained her work on developing increasing efficiencies in carbon capture using membranes. She explained the benefits of her work in reducing CO2 already released into the atmosphere, and gave us fresh insight into the ‘behind the scenes’, by giving us a lab tour. Iris’ takeover served to make the work of sustainable activists more tangible, and instil hope in us and our community through the dedication and hard work of activists like Iris.

The other way in which we link our community to experts is through our directory of ethical activewear and lifestyle brands. Brands such as Reflexone, CONTUR, TheRe.Store, and ONESTA centre their clothes production in ways that are consistent with climate justice. In our Directory, Conscience Collective connects conscientious consumers wanting to buy less but buy well with expert manufacturers. In choosing clothes made by these brands, consumers can ‘buy into’ production methods that can genuinely start to make a difference in how clothes are made and consumed.

Through Conscience Collective’s work, we unite people with their ambition to substantiate their aspirations, demonstrating that they are not alone in wanting to do something for the planet, and providing guidance on how they can take small steps towards a more sustainable future.

By Amirkaur, Sofia, Caitlin, Jess and Anya